The Green Bay Packers have done it again. After going from Hall of Famer Brett Favre to future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, they somehow managed to find another Pro Bowl-caliber player to run their offense. It is far too early to call Jordan Love a future Hall of Fame, but the fact remains that he was better in his first year as a starter than either of his two all-time great predecessors.
In 2023, Love had a 64.1% completion percentage, 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 96.1 passer rating. What is most impressive about these numbers is the fact that he did it with a group of pass catchers that were either rookies or second-year players. As Love and his offensive weapons continue to grow, it stands to reason that he will be even better in 2024 and future seasons.
Based on this thought, and the fact that quarterbacks are getting paid more money than ever before, the consensus is that Love’s upcoming extension is going to be massive.
How Much Will the Green Bay Packers Have to Pay Jordan Love?
Going into this offseason, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of annual salary with $55 million per year. The Detroit Lions gave Jared Goff a four-year contract extension that made him the second-highest paid quarterback with an annual salary of $53 million.
Giving Goff a contract extension of that magnitude was surprising, but considering he appeared in a Super Bowl (with the Los Angeles Rams), has made three Pro Bowls, and took the Detroit Lions to the NFC Championship Game, it was somewhat understandable.
Then the Jacksonville Jaguars gave Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, a five-year extension worth $275 million, or $55 million per year. What was shocking about this deal is that he has made just one Pro Bowl and has been rather mediocre overall in three NFL seasons.
And here is the thing that is important when discussing how much Love will make on his next extension: he was better than Lawrence last season:
| Jordan Love | Trevor Lawrence | |
| Completion % | 64.1% | 65.6% |
| Passing Yards | 4,159 | 4,016 |
| Touchdowns | 32 | 21 |
| Interceptions | 11 | 14 |
| Passer Rating | 96.1 | 88.5 |
As seen above, the only category in which Lawrence was better than love was in completion percentage. Love threw for more yards, 11 more touchdowns, three less interceptions, and had a better passer rating.
If Lawrence is getting $55 million per year, it stands to reason that Love will get even more.
NFL Analyst Hopes the Green Bay Packers Can Move on From Jordan Love in 2-3 Years
The thought of Love being in Green Bay long-term as the next great quarterback is a thought that must strike fear into the minds of opposing fans. This certainly seems to be the case for NFL analyst Mike Florio, a known Minnesota Vikings fan, who recently wrote of Love’s upcoming deal:
“The Packers and Love are working on a new contract. With $11 million in cash due for 2024, a five-year, $300 million extension would have a new-money average of $60 million — and a total-money average of $51.83 million over six years. With no owner diverting profits to superyacht construction or maintenance, the Packers can reinvest all profits in their football operations. If they’re truly sold on Love (and if they can construct the contract to give them an out after two or three years), it wouldn’t be a shock if he gets to $60 million first.”
Note the “and if they can construct the contract to give them an out after two or three years” comment. Obviously, Green Bay wants to construct the contract to give them as much flexibility as possible. However, the notion that the Packers would want to get out of any contract with Love after just two or three years is a far deviation from the way they do business.
After all, the last two starting quarterbacks that they had both ended up playing in Green Bay for 15 years. If Love plays like he did in 2023, especially in the second half of the season, there is no reason to think that they will be looking for an early out.
Of course, opposing fans like Florio must really hope that Love bottoms out and does not live up to the hype that now surrounds him.
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